WKU Football: Talkin UTEP With Miner Rush’s Alex Nicolas
Alex Nicolas is a good man, and is a pioneer in many aspects in the Conference USA blogosphere. He is the site runner of the only…
Alex Nicolas is a good man, and is a pioneer in many aspects in the Conference USA blogosphere. He is the site runner of the only CUSA-specific site on SBNation, Miner Rush, and has been just as nice and friendly as one could ask ever since I entered the CUSA blogging realm.
For a brief, brief time, I was even on the UTEP writing staff. (I actually think I still have editorial privileges — please don’t change that, Alex. I wont abuse it, and it makes me feel like “CUSA writer emeritus.”)
With as good a guy as Alex is, I knew he’d be an easy ask when it came to swapping questions about WKU/UTEP, so lets get down to brass tacks and see what he has to say about this week’s match up.
The Towel Rack: This week just got a lot more interesting with Kugler stepping down. How much of a shock was this news?
Alex Nicolas: It was a huge shock to me. I expected Kugs to bolt after NMSU put a whooping on UTEP, but I thought he was still all in after the Aggies embarrassed him.
Just seemed like the writing was on the wall that he’d be gone at the end of the season, but did not see him leaving just five games in.
TTR: Things haven’t gone, lets say, great for UTEP overall. However, that doesn’t mean there’s no good to be found with the Miners. What are some things that has gone well for UTEP so far this season?
AN: Hmm, not much to be honest.
UTEP has struggled in a lot of different areas, and this team also has a laundry list of issues. Sustaining drives, stopping the run, dropping passes have been the main issues that have not improved through five weeks.
The Miner offense was 100% percent in red zone touchdown scoring, but that ended last week. UTEP is 100% percent in red zone touchdown scoring at home, so there is your positive mark.
TTR: Was this how the season was “supposed,” to go in any way?
AN: Eh, the expectations were very low, and this 0–5 start was a major possibility with Aaron Jones now Lambeau Leaping in the NFL.
If UTEP could not develop a suitable passing game during the offseason, 2–10 or worse was very possible, and that’s what we’re seeing right now.
The lack of a passing game has put this program behind the 8-ball in so many ways, and that’s why expectations were tapered with this team coming into the year.
TTR: What are some of the ways UTEP matches up well against WKU in?
AN: Defensively, UTEP is built to make teams earn their touchdowns drives with a bend-but-don’t-break, aggressive 3–4 scheme designed to disrupt or slow down a passing attack.
UTEP has a strong secondary, despite giving up a 174.13 passer rating on the season, and that is really the only area I can see UTEP matching up with WKU.
If the Miners don’t generate a pass rush, this will be a major moot point as the Tops should shred a reeling UTEP front seven.
TTR: I think this puppy is a blowout, but some of our readers think this could a trap game and, with a new coach at the helm, the Miners will be fired up and ready to play. Whats your prediction?
AN: There is no telling how UTEP will react on the field Saturday, but the safe bet is this team is just outmatched and outcoached in a lot different areas.
It does seem like a trap game, but UTEP hasn’t played a full four quarters of football in almost a full calendar year, and I don’t see that happening this week after a drama filled week. Plus, I feel the locker room is not happy with the Mike Price move.
The Tops use this long road trip to get right, and leave El Paso with a huge W, and hopefully some solid Mexican food for the plane ride home.
WKU 55 — UTEP 17
Holy cow, that’s quite the score prediction.
Well, you heard it from the man himself. It could get ugly, and fast, on Saturday and all signs are pointing to a Topper W.
I’d like to, again, thank Alex for taking time to answer our questions, and I urge you to check him and his staff over at Miner Rush out. They do great stuff and have always been big supporters of not just The Towel Rack, but WKU sites I, personally, have been involved with and for that, I’m forever greatful.
And, for Alex, I wish him a hearty GO ASTROS as the MLB playoffs begin.